Study: Too much fast food will make you fat… and depressed

Are you a fan of the local take-a-way? Well according to a scientific study, eating too much fast food can be just as bad for your mental health as it is for your general health.

The study reveals that eating fast food on a regular basis will not only send your cholesterol levels through the roof, but it may also have a serious affect on your mental health. Those who consume a vindaloo or tikka masala from their local curry house on a regular basis could begin feeling more depressed compared to someone who sticks to fruit and veg, according to the study.

According to the scientists, people who eat curries, burgers and pizza on a regular basis are 51 per cent more likely to develop depression than those who never or rarely eat them.

It all sounds like a fairly interesting study and one that a few of us may have to take on board. However, the next ‘fact’ to come from the study sounds like it came from the marketing department of the Fruit and Veg Corporation.

According to the Irish Independent: “Those who regularly indulged in fast food were also found to be more likely single, less active, smoke and work more than 45 hours a week”. So what are they trying to say about fast food connoisseurs?

During their study, researchers assessed 8,964 people over a six-month period, and 493 people were diagnosed with depression or started to take antidepressants during the study.

So what does this all boil down to? "The more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of depression," said Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, lead researcher.

In fairness, it's like everything else. Of course too much fast-food is bad for you, just like how too much booze is bad for your liver - you don't need to be told that. But if you eat it in moderation (like they tell you to on the ads), then you'll be fine. If you're looking for something different, something that's tasty, healthy and fit for the modern man then simply click here.

The study has been published in the Journal of Public Health Nutrition.